Discovering Hverfjall Volcano: One of Iceland’s Geological Wonders

When it comes to making an entrance, Hverfjall has it down pat. This explosive superstar in Iceland is a gem hidden in plain sight and a visit that’s well worth the effort. In this article, we balance on the rim as we give you the info on one of the most protected and underrated volcanos in Iceland. 

What is Hverfjall?

Iceland is full of volcanos and most of them are proper mountains with a stunning glacier at the top. Hverfjall is almost the opposite, with a wide base, a large crater, and no glacier in sight.

The Creation of Hverfjall

The flat look of the Hverfjall Volcano is because of its violent creation. Unlike most volcanos, Hverfjall came to be in a single violent eruption instead of being slowly built up over a longer time. Now, when we say, “single eruption”, we mean continuous eruptions for only one single period. 

In Hverfjall’s case, it was what is referred to as a phreatomagmatic eruption on the southern end of the Krafla Fissure. In laymen’s terms, a phreatomagmatic eruption is an explosive eruption that is triggered when magma interacts with water (we’ll dive into this in more detail in a bit).

As we already mentioned, Hverfjall is on top of the Krafla Fissure which contains something that is called “low-viscosity magma”. This means that it is the runny kind of magma that flows quickly and spreads over a large area, as opposed to the thicker kind that tends to cover small areas and create thicker layers.

Often, the thicker type of magma is responsible for explosive eruptions as it can trap gases for long enough to build a lot of pressure. The runnier lava, on the other hand, tends to quickly pour out and spread around. So, how come the low-viscosity magma from Hverfjall didn’t just start spilling out onto the land like it would usually do? It’s all because of the water.

Hverfjall volcano erupted roughly 2,500 years ago when the area it sits in was a large wetland. As magma met groundwater, the rapid gasification of the water created massive pressure that caused the explosive eruption. During this eruption, thin lava was thrown into the air and landed in a neat circle around the eruption zone. As a result, the Hverfjall crater is symmetric, very wide, and not very deep.

Striking Characteristics of Hverfjall

Walking the Hverfjall Volcano Trail, you’ll notice that the crater isn’t very high or deep. The rim of the crater sits at roughly 452 meters above sea level, about 200 meters above ground, and 240 meters deep. The otherwise symmetrical shape of the crater has been disrupted by a landslide on the southern side, measuring 1 kilometer in diameter at the rim and double that around the foot of Hverfjall.

At Hverfjall, the eruption created a large area made of loose rock which is the reason for the landslide on the eastern side. Walking along the rim of Hverfjall in Iceland, you might feel like you’re walking on rigid soil, just like anywhere else. The truth is that the composition of Hverfjall is loose compared to other volcanos in Iceland.

Today, Hverfjall is largely protected, and visitors are only allowed to walk along the trail and designated paths. The rest of the area needs to be protected for continuous education about these sorts of eruptions as well as the many geological formations.

Where is Hverfjall?

We hinted earlier that the area that Hverfjall sits in used to be a large wetland. It just so happens that it’s still the case since Hverfjall sits next to Mývatn in the northern part of the area. Hverfjall can be seen east of the lake, not far from some other, less impressive volcanic craters.

How to Get to Hverfjall?

Hverfjall is close to Ring Road 1, so getting there is no biggie if you drive around the country. If you drive from Reykjavik, the only thing you need is patience and time, as this route will be roughly 470 kilometers and take almost 6 hours to complete. We suggest you make many stops along the way to see more of our stunning island.

To get to Hverfjall from Reykjavik, drive Ring Road 1 going north until you reach the turnoff for Road 848 on your right. This is a gravel road, so drive carefully and mind your speed. From the turnoff drive past Skútustadir and continue until you reach the gravel road leading straight to the Hverfjall Crater.

Those who don’t want to deal with all the driving, but still want the road trip experience, there are public transport options to Akureyri from where you can just rent transport to drive the rest of the way to Hverfjall. The No. 57 Stræto Bus departs from Reykjavik twice a day, and the entire trip is roughly 6.5 hours long.

If you have money to burn and want to save time, you can fly domestically to Akureyri and take a rental car from there to Hverfjall. You will find a parking area with a parking fee of 1,000 ISK (+/- $7.25). Since Hverfjall is off the beaten path, there won’t be any tours going there, so a self-drive is the only way.

Hiking at Hverfjall

This volcano doesn’t demand a whole lot of time since the hike for just Hverfjall can be done in about an hour and a half. The route along the rim is roughly 3.2 kilometers long, but very easy to walk. There are slight elevation changes, but it’s nothing substantial.

When up there, you will want to stop a couple of times to take in the view, regardless of the time of year. The western part of Hverfjall offers breathtaking views of Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area. The eastern and southern sides provide scenery of massive lava fields and distant volcanic craters.

If you stop to the north, you will be able to see some of the steam pillars from the Mývatn Geothermal Area. You will start your Hverfjall hike from either the south or the north of the volcano.

Southern Trail

This is the challenging trail that will not only give you a steeper descent and decline but also require you to first walk around the base of Hverfjall until you reach the base of the trail. You will see the markings going up along the side of the mountain, providing some guidance so you keep on the right track.  

If you want a longer adventure, you can park your car at Dimmuborgir close by and hike from there to the base of Hverfjall. Doing this will add about an hour or two to your hike, and you will have to descend a 600m long path into the Dimmuborgir mote.

Northern Trail

The northern trail is the easier one with a flatter path up and down the mountain. It starts right from the parking lot and stretches roughly 600 meters up along the side, so depending on how fit you are, it can take 10 to 25 minutes to climb.

When is the Best Time to Visit Hverfjall?

Hverfjall is open all year round, so it really depends on what you want to get out of the experience. The Hverfjall Volcano Trail is just as good in the winter as it is in the summer, even if it requires a little more effort in the winter.

For the one on the hunt for some tranquility, the winter in Iceland will likely be the best option. If you catch a day in the winter when the snow has fallen and the wind is calm, you’ll be able to see the vast expanse of the area around Hverfjall when everything is quiet. The powdered snow acts as an excellent sound absorber and the contrast between the pitch-black spots in the blinding white snow is almost indescribable.

If you want to catch the Northern Lights in Iceland, winter is the time to go. Just remember to check the Aurora Forecast and choose a time when you’re unlikely to be blocked by clouds.

Summer in Iceland is when you can see more of the rich bird life in the area, as well as the colorful flora that surrounds the crater. Summer is also the time of year when the weather will be the most pleasant and you’re unlikely to end up in the dark. You might even be accompanied by the Midnight Sun in Iceland!

Things to Do Around Hverfjall

Hverfjall is a little bit off the beaten path, and that is partly because it is close to many other attractions:

• Grótagjá Cave – where a scene from Game of Thrones was filmed.

• Mývatn Nature Baths – a relaxing escape from road trips with hot and cold baths.

• Mývatn Geothermal Area – bubbling pools of sulfur-filled water heated by the magma underneath.

• Lake Mývatn – a birder’s paradise with the widest range of bird species and stunning natural scenery.

• Skútustadagígar – a group of pseudo-craters with an interesting story.

• Dimmuborgir Lava Fields – legend says it’s the gateway to hell. Science says it’s an unusual field of lava. Visit and find out which one is right!

Places to Stay Around Hverfjall

Surely, with this much to do in the area, there is no reason not to stay over and explore! The area around Hverfjall has accommodation options that will fit every traveler’s wallet:

• Hlid Mývatn Accommodation – here you can choose from cottages of different sizes, a bed and breakfast, a hostel, a guesthouse, apartments, and a camping site. This comes complete with everything you could need on your holiday.

• Vogafjos Farm Resort – a family-run guesthouse that offers rooms in log houses that come with breakfast, private bathroom, and Wi-Fi included.

• Fosshotel Mývatn – a pricier option that is a part of the well-known chain Íslandshotel. Choose between many different rooms and enjoy free Wi-Fi, sauna, bar, and restaurant at the hotel. Parking is free for guests here.

• Vogar Travel Service – a guesthouse and campground that offers access to a heated indoor kitchen and dining room as well as hot showers, electricity for campervans and RVs, and free Wi-Fi.

Visit Hverfjall: The Flat Volcano

There is really nothing like this explosive part of Icelandic history. Walking the rim of Hverfjall doesn’t take very long and is definitely a must if you’re in the area. The rich nature surrounding Hverfjall makes for great scenery, and the nearby attractions are easy to get to. We recommend that you rent a car in Iceland and visit Hverfjall on your next Icelandic holiday!